Fluorescent lighting fixture



April 10, 1951 M, s c s 2,548,500

FLUORESCENT LIGHTING FIXTURE Filed June 18, 1949 IN VEN TOR.

flzorri/o' Jacks Patented Apr. 10, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Morris Sachs, New York, N. .Y.

Alwlication June 18, 1949,*Serial No. 99,933

. 1 Glalim. 1

This invention relates to lighting fixtures, and particularly to those of the type which employ fluorescent lamps. One of the objects of the invention is to provide a fixture foruse with lamps of the fluorescent type which will enable the light to be reflected upwardly or downwardly as required by the needs of each installation.

The invention contemplates the provision of a fixture which includes means for supporting the lamps and a reflector therefore, the reflector being adapted to be selectively positioned either above the lamps or below the same to thereby direct the light either upwardly or downwardly.

The invention also contemplates the provision of a fixture of relatively simple construction, including a housing for the ballast and wiring and other operative parts, whereby such parts will be enclosed and fully protected. It further includes simplified means for mounting the tubes; the reflector and other parts, rendering the fixture easy to mount according to installation requirements.

These and other objects are attained by the invention, a more particular description of which will hereinafter appear and be set forth in the claim appended hereto.

In the accompanying drawing, wherein an illustrative embodiment of the invention is disclosed, Fig. 1 is an end elevation of a lighting fixture constructed in accordance with the invention; Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the same with I parts broken away to disclose construction; Fig. 3 is a perspective view of one of the reflectors; Fig. 4 is a sectional view, taken on the line 44 of Fig. 2, looking in the direction of the arrows; Fig. 5 is a sectional View, taken on the line 55 of Fig. 2, looking in the direction of the arrows, and with the reflector omitted, Fig. 6 is a sectional view, taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 2, looking in the direction of the arrows, and Fig. '7 is a view similar to Fig. 6 but showing one of the reflectors positioned to reflect the light upwardly.

Referring to the drawing, l indicates the central housing of the fixture. The same is of elongated form, and while shown in a relatively plain rectangular shape for simplicity in illustration, it will be apparent that the housing may be ornamented in various ways. The housing I is hollow or tubular and is used to contain the ballast, wiring and other operating elements employed in fluorescent lighting fixtures. In its top, the housing is formed with a central opening I2 for access to a ceiling outlet box, and holes [3 are also provided to receive the rods by which the fixture may be suspended.

At its opposite ends, the housing I is provided with a pair of laterally-extended, upwardly-inclined arms. Those at one end are designated at M, while the similar arms at the opposite end are designated at 5. These arms are rigid extensions from the side walls 3 and 4 of the housing I, and are hollow or tubular, as will be seen in Fig. 4, and thus form conduits for wires 8 which are connected to the Wiring and ballasts contained within the housing I. The wires 8 extend from sockets I attached to the inner wall 9 of each of the arms l4 and 5, the sockets receiving and supporting the fluorescent lamps I0 between the arms, as noted in Fig. 2. l

The opposite ends of the housing I are closed by end plates 9, which may also serve as closures for the outer sides of the arms l4 and 5, the plates 9 being attached by screws or other fastening elements.

Shown in Fig. 3 is one of the reflectors. This may consist of a plate of metal, plastic material, glass or other suitable material, and it consists of an elongated member I5 having a downwardlyextended front flange l6 which fits against the front end of each of the arms l4 and 5 when the reflector is in place. The rear edge of each reflector, and two of the reflectors are employed, is downwardly curved, as shown at 20. This curved portion of the reflector fits against the side walls 3 and 4 of the housing as seen in Fig. 6.

In Figs. 1, 2 and 6 of the drawing, the reflectors are shown attached to the tops of the arms l4 and 5 so'that said reflectors are located above the lamps It), thereby directing the light rays downwardly. The reflectors may be attached to the arms by screws I8, passing through holes [1 in the tops of each reflector, and entering holes 22 in the arms. To facilitate the downward curve of the reflector at the rear edge, the body of the reflector may be split near its opposite ends as shown at [9.

When it is desired to direct the rays of light upwardly, the reflectors, which are shown as bridging the space between the arms l4 and 5 at the tops of said arms, may be attached to the bottoms of the arms as shown in Fig. 7 and be thus located below the lamps ID. This arrangement permits the single fixture to be used as a reflecting fixture if desired.

The arrangement presented is such that the wiring and lighting accessories are enclosed. The bottom of the housing is closed by a plate I I which is preferably removable for access to the operating parts and wiring within the fixture. The arrangement of the reflectors permits the same to be applied either above or below the lamp or lamps extending between the fixture arms, and

the slight upward inclination of the arms provides a fixture of pleasing appearance and design.

Having described one embodiment of the invention, it is obvious that the same is not to be restricted thereto, but is broad enough to cover all structures coming within the scope of the annexed claim.

What I claim is:

A lighting fixture comprising, a central, elongated, substantially rectangular housing, a pair of arms at each end of the housing inclined upwardly from horizontal and projecting laterally reflector at each side of the housing and sup- 20 ported by one of the arms at one end of the housing and another of the arms at the other end of the same, the reflectors being curved along one edge and provided with a flange at the other edge to fit over the ends of the arms, and means for attaching the reflectors either above or below the fluorescent lamps.

MORRIS SACHS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,285,001 Wilson June 2, 1942 2,331,811 Sprecher Oct. 12, 1943 2,381,630 Wakefield Aug. '7, 1945 2,399,531 Young Apr. 30, 1946 

